The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1887-10-06

80 appointed: Ad1L.
GEMZUcIus E/7cH/xo. Gen. Gray, Thomas
G. Stewart, Pennsylvania; John Thacher,
Connecticut; James F. Stewart, Ohio; E.
Henry jerks, Rhode Island. The annual
address of the commande--in chief. which is
very long. was then presented.
The general began by sending greetings to the
people of the Pacific coast for the hospitality
and cordial reception OF last year. He sincerely
congratulated tho order that they were per-
mitted 10 gather in this great me 1ropoils' and
thanked the citizens OF st. Louis for their gen
erous welcome. He was pleased to announce
the evidence Of permanent and h'althy growth
Of the Grand Army Of the Republic and OF the
strong love OF the order entertained by the loyal
people OF this country. That this NAV continue
he earnestly eau: Toned every member that he
keep :. watchful guard over himself when ne
acts or speaks AZ q member OF the d A.. II and
not unconsciously further chemes foreign to
the legitimate purposes OF the organization.
Article .. forbidding the use OF the organization
for partisan purposes had, 80 far as ne knew,
been strictly ODE we'd in letter and spirit. From
Adjutant General Gray's report he learned
that the total number of members borne
on the rolls of the order at the last national
e~nca.npment was 376. 495. The number re-
ported June 80. 1877, was 372.674; actual gain
In Ave years. 46,157. The increase OF members
in ninety days ending June 80, 1887, in good
standing, was Is, 616. In 1880 there were CO.
834 members. In the last five quarters there
have been mustered into the Grand Army 70
355. There were rsDor; cd June 80. 1887, in
good standing 500, 56.: suspended, 20. g2Oi by
delinauon5 reports, ! o 1902: total at last returns
borns upon the rolls, 3~72674.an increat, in
membership that must be gratifying to al men,
.bers. The amount repor cd expended In charity
March: 1886. to March, 1887, inclusive is 500,
934.43; This money WAS disbursed 70 1850
comrades and their families, and 1899 Others
were assisted, giving 26. SOC individuals
who had received benefits during, the year, He
had established the provisional sr,h nal ! aepar dansh ss ct
claimed 3.4U6 member. He selected tor special
notice, john A. Logan. who in his life had man
Tested his love not only in words, but by active
public and private efforts, Did any poor,
manned, helpless veteran need an advocate, did
the Grand Army need a defender. his was the
first name that came to the lips. and he was
Grand Army badge had been duly transferred
aud is now the property Of the order. The coun-
oil OF administration has invested 100000 OF the
surplus funds Of the order in bonds of the United
States.
MEMORIAL DAY
was more generally and appropriately observed
this year than ever before. This day, sacred to
public has become a most impressive and in
struclive national holiday. A letter was re-
ceived by him from Joseph ". Drexel offering
which Gen. U. s. Grant spent his last days, to
the survivors Of these gallant men who saved
the country; the only conditions being that the
trust bv the commander-in-chief Of the Grand
Army of the Republic. the president Of the
Mount McGreeor Railway company and another
10 DS uhIlcu ny tuC OilOl dlICLI1
recommended that it be referred to tho incoming
commander-in-chief with authority to accept
on satisfactory arrangements: In September
last. when the citizens Of Charleston, s.. G..
were suffering from the effects Of q terrible
earthquake, the Grand Army Joined In the re-
lief. He, in company with, Adjt. Gen. Gray.
comrades to raise money for relief. Collections
were rapidly made, and $7.O47 was reported to
national headquarters. 1t was understood that
there was no Immediate haste, and before the
collections had gotten fairly under way the
mayor Of Charleston telegraphed headquarters
that no further relief would be required. Had
assured that $1OO,OOO could have been
raised WITHIN another month. Many posts had
simultaneously received the call for aid
commended the appointment at once OF a compe-
tent comrade to write a history OF the Organiza-
ton. and suggested that the general government
enumeration of the soldiers OF the late war OF
the rebellion who may be living in 1890. Beliey-
ing that the practice OF moving the national head
chief resides is becoming impracticable. owing to
accumulation of the property OF the order, he
recommends that the national headquarters be
aistant adjutant general be pul in charge.
IN THE MATTER OF PENSIONS
it has been an aim OF the order to have congress
grant relief Of the pressing needs of the COM
rades. The government has responded in many
instances. Influence has been brought to bear
5 on state legislation. and state soldiers and or
OMAN uOlOCS Nuu laws lOE temporary TcllcI OF IN.
dteent soldiers and their families have been
passed. For this work more than any other has
the Grand Army Of the Republic lived-this
more than all else has ennobled its ~life-for this
purpose the Grand Army will in the future give
its earnest endeavors and by reason Of it's per-
sistent endeavors it will be remembered. The
Grand Army. with the approval OF the people in
general. have enlisted IN this cause. Men7of all
shades OF political belief have been foremost In
these efforts. and never until this year has it en-
tered the mind OF any we'll informed man to
charge that this zeal in behalf Of our needy COM
rades was OF apolitica] partisan character. The
THAI this question. of pensions shall be classcd
among those which men commonly call partisan.
It has been for mann years discussed by post,
lutions and addresses have been adopted
and published. petitions ana APP
tpesls hare often been sent to
congress-, The efforts Of the aewspapers Of the
ceptions they have heretofore been in full accord
with the oder. There has been no change Of
opinion or change OF method IN the ranks OF the
mind in considering, it but simple Justice that
tho United States should Al least grant a PEN
sion Of not less than $l2 per month to all per-
Sons who served three months or more In the
during the war Of the rebellion and who have
been honorably discharged and who are
now or who may hereafter be from mental e
physical disability. not the result Of
them tor the performances Of manual labor. This
has been publicly advocated. and all men. who
cared to know have been fully aware Of the. ac-
tion. and yet until recently there has been heard
have changed their minds, the Grand Army need
not therefore change theirs. The path In this
direction has been straight. The order has d.
verged neither to the right nor to the left. Be.
cause the comrades need help tho Grand
Army will drag closer and closer to them.
They shall mol. be the inmates OF the common